×

Hollidaysburg food pantry directors leave mark

LaVallas retire from ARW; ‘made tremendous impact on many lives’

Victor and Deborah LaValla, who had been American Rescue Workers co-directors in Hollidaysburg since March 2015, retired effective May 30. The LaVallas leave “big shoes to fill ... They set the bar high for the level of respect ARW receives in this community,” Christopher Fuska, who took over as director upon the LaVallas’ retirement, said. Courtesy photo

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Victor and Deborah LaValla left their mark on the American Rescue Workers in Hollidaysburg.

The LaVallas, who had been co-directors in Hollidaysburg since March 2015, retired effective May 30.

Deborah, a native of Danville, Va., had been involved with ARW since the late 1970s. Her father, Claude Astin Jr., had gone info ministry with ARW, and her three brothers also were involved.

“It was like a family affair, we all had to get involved,” Deborah said.

Victor, who grew up in Fairfield, Conn., was called into the ministry shortly after the LaVallas were married in 2004.

Victor LaValla

Victor, who was running a printing business, said in June 2005, Deborah’s father asked him if he could help him with an employee manual.

“It was like whoa, that night I had my call to do this,” Victor said.

“He left a six-figure income to achieve a four-figure income,” Deborah said.

The LaVallas were called to run two homeless shelters in Canton, Ohio, from 2007-15. They were both ordained as pastors in Canton in 2009.

They were asked to come to Hollidaysburg in March 2015 to run the food pantry.

Deborah LaValla

“It was such a contrast from Canton. Canton was full of crime and derogatory things and violence. When we came here it was like we moved to Mayberry, we were no longer afraid to walk out at night,” Victor said.

“They needed someone here; we had never run a food pantry, we had a lot to learn, the volunteers were wonderful and helpful,” Deborah said.

The food pantry has grown under the LaVallas’ direction.

“We serve 175-200 families here per month. We developed a way to provide other pantries with food, 14 other pantries in this area. We serve about 10 pantries in Altoona. We are getting food into Altoona in ways that were not available,” Victor said. “We rely on God to provide the direction on how to do these things.”

Deborah said working in Hollidaysburg over the years has been “an adventure.”

“You have a to-do list and it turns into a whatever-needs-done list,” Deborah said.

“You do a lot of what is not on the list,” Victor said.

Volunteers have been very helpful.

“On a weekly basis, we average 30 volunteers coming through here,” Victor said.

The LaVallas don’t take credit for what they have done.

“It has been a perfect gift from above, we saw God moments all of the time, we couldn’t make things happen ourselves. I feel we stayed true to the mission, promoting spiritual assistance to those at need. We can’t meet all of the needs all of the time, but we have done our best to meet the needs we could,” Deborah said.

Dawn Astin, president of the National Board of Managers for the American Rescue Workers, said the LaVallas have played an important role.

“Facing challenges with diligence, perseverance, a love of people and a passion for helping others in crisis, this couple made a tremendous impact in many lives. Their dedication, spirit-led lives, vibrant personalities and sense of humor will be greatly missed and their absence will leave a noticeable void on a local level, as well as a national level as board members, serving the American Rescue Workers, National Board of Managers,” Astin said.

Christopher Fuska, who took over as director upon the LaVallas’ retirement, said it will not be easy succeeding the couple.

“I could see, in just the short amount of time since I’ve been in this community, what an impact they’ve had. Their dedication to the folks in this area is very evident in the sentiments they have received at the news of their retirement,” Fuska said. “I definitely have big shoes to fill with Deb and Victor leaving. They set the bar high for the level of respect ARW receives in this community and it will be up to me to make sure that respect stays intact. I don’t intend to fully replace the

LaVallas because that would be impossible, but do my best to continue the level of service to the community they have achieved over the last decade.”

Deborah said it is important for Fuska to pray every day.

“Have a to-do list, but be flexible and be ready to add to it whatever comes your way that day. This is not a typical place. People who attend the church are not a typical congregation. Be serviceable to the Holy Spirit with what you are guided to do,” Deborah said.

The LaVallas are optimistic about the future of the ARW in Hollidaysburg. The food pantry building on Scotch Valley Road was purchased last fall by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, which plans to make it its “Western Healthy Food Hub.”

“The Hollidaysburg ‘Western Healthy Food Hub’ will be transformational, helping us better serve our partner organizations, food donors and especially neighbors facing hunger in the Allegheny Mountain Region, and will allow for more efficient food sharing with fellow Feeding America partner food banks in western Pennsylvania,” said CEO Joe Arthur.

Arthur said the food bank will continue to host the American Rescue Workers team and anticipates that this long and fruitful partnership will continue at the Hollidaysburg Hub for many years.

He said renovation work on the building should be done by early fall.

Renovations include adding additional refrigeration and freezer capacity, updating paint and flooring, bathrooms and furniture, adding a ramp to the building’s entryway and refreshing its parking lot.

The LaVallas’ retirement plans call for moving to Muncy. Retirement will give them more time to spend with their family.

“We have five kids and 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. They are spread out, so we wanted to spend more time with them. We are in the third quarter of our lives, we made the choice to spend more time with our family,” Deborah said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

The LaVallas file

Names: Victor and Deborah LaValla

Ages: Victor, 69; Deborah, 64.

Position: Recently retired as co-directors of American Rescue Workers, Hollidaysburg.

Education: Victor is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College with a degree in management. Deborah has an associate degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology in mass communications and public relations and graduated from Bucknell University with a double major in English and anthropology.

Family: Children Heather, Joey, Chris, Tori and Brittany; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Quote: “The food pantry, it has taken a lot of time, but we made it work. We are proud of the growth of the food pantry.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today